Sta. Lucia Realty goes for a second straight win when it takes on Rain or Shine while Barako Bull Coffee tries to get back on the winning track when it battles Air21 this Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Yñares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
The Express (0-1) and the Coffee Makers (1-1) clash in the first game at 4 p.m., while the Elasto Painters (0-1) and the Realtors (1-1) collide in the main game at 6:30 p.m.
Sta. Lucia is fresh from a convincing 86-72 win over Barangay Ginebra Friday night at the Astrodome in Pasay City, its first win this conference after bowing to Barako Bull Coffee, 97-93, on opening day last week.
Import Anthony Johnson led the way for the Realtors as he scattered 22 points on top of 13 rebounds, two assists and three shot blocks.
Local mainstays also stepped up as point guard Ryan Reyes had 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and five steals, while Kelly Williams added 13.
Although Rain or Shine is coming off 96-99 loss against Talk N’ Text in its opening game last Friday, the Realtors are not taking the Painters lightly.
“We just have to keep on playing hard on both ends,” Sta. Lucia head coach Boyet Fernandez said. “Knowing Rain or Shine, which has the tools, the system to be a competitive team, we expect another tough game.”
Jay-R Reyes led Rain or Shine with a personal season-high 23 points, while import Jai Lewis had 17 and 20 rebounds. But the Painters shot only 31 of 79 or 39.2 percent from the field and made 22 of 34 attempts from the free throw line, hastening their downfall against the Tropang Texters.
“We have to improve on our shooting, and we have to toughen on our defense,” said Rain or Shine mentor Caloy Garcia, who will rely on Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado, who scored 16 and 13 points, respectively against TNT.
Equally exciting is the match pitting Air21 and Barako Bull Coffee.
This marks the first time that the two teams will collide since Junel Baculi joined the Coffee Masters after serving as chief lieutenant of revered head coach Yeng Guiao with the Bert Lina-owned team for two conferences.
“Of course I’m excited to play my former team. Coach Yeng was really a big help when I was with him with Burger King. Expect an exciting game,” Baculi said.
Games Sunday (Yñares Sports Center)
4 p.m. – Air21 vs Barako Bull Coffee
6:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Sta. Lucia
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